Breaking News from Nintendo's E3 2005 Press Conference

May 17, 2005

Nintendo Reveals Details on Revolution, Game Boy Micro, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, The Legend of Zelda and Much, Much More.

Each year on the eve of the annual Electronics Entertainment Expo, Nintendo holds an exclusive press conference to give the gaming media an early look at what Nintendo holds in store for the coming year.

This year, Nintendo came out swinging with huge announcements covering its next console Revolution, Game Boy Micro, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and a wide range of software for Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance. As the press conference opened, Satoru Iwata, President of Nintendo Co. Ltd., took the stage and showcased an impressive highlight reel of upcoming software.

When the video ended, an enthusiastic crowd cheered as Nintendo's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Reggie Fils-Aime, took the stage. After making a few observations about all the big numbers being tossed around in the pre-E3 speeches, Reggie displayed a single number on the jumbo screen behind him -- the number "2."

This drew some laughter from the crowd, and Reggie explained that the number represented the 2 billion games Nintendo has sold over the past 20 years -- an impressive number indeed. Reggie explained that Nintendo has always been a "content company" that creates software out of a love for making video games.

To demonstrate Nintendo's innovative approach to the video game industry, Reggie introduced world-renowned DJ David Hollands who delivered an impressive set of music mixed on two Nintendo DS systems while playing Electroplankton.

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

Reggie then shifted gears and talked about the new Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection that will be available for Nintendo DS before the end of the year. He stated that Nintendo estimates that 90% of Nintendo DS owners will take advantage of this free service, which will enable players to compete against Nintendo DS owners around the world.

Other details about Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on Nintendo DS include:

Your favorite franchises are slated to be available via Wi-Fi by the end of the year, with Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing DS and a new Tony Hawk title from Activision scheduled to be among the first games compatible with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Nintendo is partnering with IGN Entertainment to manage the service’s architecture and navigation. Using IGN’s GameSpy Technology, you'll be able to connect wirelessly at any Wi-Fi hub, find your friends and begin racing, battling or chatting as easily as if they were sitting with you in the same room.

Mario Kart DS, due in Q4, lets up to eight players race against one another in classic Mario Kart fashion on new tracks and arenas. Zip through raceways and environments while firing shells at your opponents using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Animal Crossing DS, also due in Q4, gives players in different locations the ability to explore their worlds and manage their homes. Using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, players can hang out, collect items or visit with friends.

More than 25 publishers worldwide are working on titles that will use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Nintendogs

The next special guest at the press conference was Tina Wood from G4TV, who happily showed off her prized pug "Mia" from Nintendogs for Nintendo DS. When she activated the game's "Bark Mode," her Nintendo DS barked when it noticed another Nintendogs game nearby. The crowd was pleased to discover that the new Nintedog, named "Mario," was owned by none other than Mario-creator Shigeru Miyamoto. Check out nintendo.com for more info on Nintendogs.

Game Boy Micro

After Tina and Mr. Miyamoto made their exit, Reggie returned to the stage to unveil the latest evolution in the image of the Game Boy Advance line, the Game Boy Micro. Coming this fall, the Game Boy Micro measures a mere 4 inches wide, 2 inches tall and 0.7 inches deep. Reggie held up a Game Boy Micro system, which appeared impressively small. More information about Game Boy Micro is available at nintendo.com.

Revolution

After an impressive highlight reel showcasing upcoming GBA software, Mr. Iwata returned to the stage and gave the crowd what it was hoping for -- a first-look at a prototype of Nintendo's next console, code-name Revolution. Mr. Iwata revealed that Revolution will be arriving in 2006 and announced that the system will be backward compatible with Nintendo GameCube games. In addition, Revolution will have downloadable access to 20 years of fan-favorite titles originally released for Nintendo 64, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and even the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

Mr. Iwata also announced that Revolution will feature wireless controllers and compatibility with the newly announced wireless gaming service Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Many attendees cheered when Mr. Iwata revealed that key franchises will be compatible with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection at launch, including Super Smash Bros.

Other details about Revolution include:

Sophisticated Design. The new console is approximately the size of three standard DVD cases stacked together, and it was displayed in a variety of prototype colors at E3. The console will come with a sleek silver stand allowing it to be displayed vertically or horizontally.

Backward Compatibility. Revolution will play all of your favorite Nintendo GameCube games. An innovative self-loading media bay will play both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new system as well as Nintendo GameCube discs. You can also equip a small, self-contained attachment to play movies and other DVD content.

Huge Historic Library. Revolution will have downloadable access to 20 years of fan-favorite titles originally released for Nintendo 64, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and even the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

Big Names. Nintendo announced that new franchise properties will be added to current super-star franchises including Mario, Zelda, Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong and Metroid. Wi-Fi Freedom. A worldwide network of Nintendo players can gather to compete in a comfortable, inviting environment using Nintendo's newly announced wireless gaming service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Nintendo GameCube Software

The Revolution news was a tough act to follow, but Nintendo's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications George Harrison was ready for the task and introduced awesome video footage of upcoming Nintendo GameCube titles including Battalion Wars, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, and a collection of new Mario titles including Mario Baseball, Super Mario Strikers, Mario Party 7 and Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

George saved a real gem for last, and wrapped up the pre-E3 press conference with an incredible new video trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. You can watch the video for yourself and access new screenshots and character art by visiting www.Zelda.com.

You don't have to be an industry insider to get complete access to Nintendo at E3 2005. Complete coverage of Nintendo's booth and breaking news is available right here at nintendo.com.

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Nintendo Revolution Press Release

Nintendo's Compact Console Will Turn the World of Gaming on Its Side

New system Will be Forward-Thinking, Yet Backward Compatible

LOS ANGELES, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Each generation of video game consoles builds on the past to set new standards for the future. As the company with the strongest heritage of innovation, Nintendo redefines expectations for all next-gen systems by employing a wide-ranging strategy to attract more kinds of gamers to more kinds of games. When Nintendo's new console, code-named Revolution, arrives in 2006, everyone will discover the meaning of All-Access Gaming.

"We will show the world what a next-gen system can be. Revolution marries the strongest heritage of innovation to the future of gaming," says Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. "With backward compatibility and the 'virtual console' concept, the stylish, compact body provides maximum gaming power. It will not only take home entertainment into another dimension by expanding the definition of video games, but it also will give you access to the great history of gaming."

Some of the system features that wowed the crowd at the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles include:

The cool look: The new console boasts high-quality materials and a smart, compact design, approximately the size of three standard DVD cases stacked together. A variety of prototype colors are being showcased during E3. It will come with a silver stand that makes the system a welcome, artistic component of any multimedia setup, whether it's displayed vertically or horizontally.

Backward compatibility: The new console plays all games from the current Nintendo GameCube(TM) generation. But there's more ...

The secret weapon: The console also will have downloadable access to 20 years of fan-favorite titles originally released for Nintendo(R) 64, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System(R) (SNES) and even the Nintendo Entertainment System(R) (NES). Easy expansion: A bay for an SD memory card will let players expand the internal flash memory.

Two disc formats, one slot: Instead of a tray, a single, innovative, self-loading media bay will play both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new system as well as Nintendo GameCube discs. Owners will have the option of equipping a small, self-contained attachment to play movies and other DVD content.

The specs: The system boasts 512 megabytes of internal flash memory, wireless controllers, two USB 2.0 ports and built-in Wi-Fi access. A worldwide network of Nintendo players can gather to compete in a comfortable, inviting environment. Revolution's technological heart, a processing chip developed with IBM and code-named "Broadway," and a graphics chip set from ATI code-named "Hollywood," will deliver game experiences not previously possible.

The stars: Introduction of a number of new franchise properties will add to the world's richest stable of stars, including Mario, Zelda, Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong and Metroid.

Wireless freedom: A number of Wi-Fi-enabled launch titles are in development that will employ Nintendo's newly announced wireless gaming service, Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection. A worldwide network of Nintendo players can gather to compete in a comfortable, inviting environment.

Freedom of design: A dynamic development architecture equally accommodates both big-budget, high-profile game "masterpieces" as well as indie games conceived by individual developers equipped with only a big idea.

"Our next console proves small in size but big on ideas," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing. "We're throwing open the doors of gaming to wider audiences, from casual players to hard-core gamers who live for the thrill of defeating an endless army of wireless opponents."

Nintendo's All-Access Gaming philosophy covers the spectrum. The next console fits anywhere. It brings together new games and old. It gives people worldwide access through wireless Wi-Fi connections. And it opens the world of video games -- to everyone. Software for the new console will even attract people who don't consider themselves players. Adults, kids, men and women around the world will have access to the most popular video game characters, the best game franchises and the most engaging experiences yet developed -- only with Nintendo.

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Game Boy Micro Press Release

Nintendo's Game Boy Micro Projects a Dynamic New Image

Best-Selling Video Game System Sports a Striking New Look

LOS ANGELES, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The original Game Boy(R) Advance fits comfortably into the pocket of a backpack. The retooled Game Boy(R) Advance SP fits into a coat pocket. Now Nintendo takes aim at the pocket of your tightest jeans with the tiny Game Boy(R) Micro system, quite simply the smallest and sleekest Game Boy(R) product that Nintendo has ever created. It's thinner than a cell phone, as chic as an MP3 player and as fun as a Game Boy. In an instant it attracts attention and positions the image-conscious player as someone on the cutting edge of cool.

The sporty, silver metal Game Boy Micro measures a mere 4 inches wide, 2 inches tall and 0.7 inches deep, allowing it to sit comfortably alongside today's hippest technological gadgets. It weighs an astonishing 2.8 ounces, or about the weight of 80 paper clips. Yet Game Boy Micro has the same processing power and plays the same games as Game Boy Advance SP models, complete with standard face controls and gleaming shoulder and Start/Select buttons that literally shine.

With Game Boy Micro, everyone plays with style. A removable face plate gives owners the option to buy replacements to customize the look of their systems again and again with new colors and designs. Most notably, its 2-inch backlit screen shines with incredible power, rendering games in startling clarity with fantastic colors on the best Game Boy screen ever. For the first time, users can adjust the brightness of the screen to adapt to indoor lights or outdoor sunshine.

"We're making the gorgeous Game Boy Micro for image-conscious folks who love video games, the ones who want the look of their system to be as cool as the games they play on it," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Because of its diminutive size and industrial-hip look, Game Boy Micro immediately identifies the person playing it as a trendsetter with discriminating style."

Game Boy Micro represents the latest evolution in the image of the Game Boy Advance line, but it is not a successor to any current system. Game Boy Micro will be released this fall. The system comes with a built-in, rechargeable lithium-ion battery and supports standard headphones.

The Game Boy Advance line remains tied for the most popular video game system of this generation. More than 28 million units have sold in the United States, yet Game Boy Advance launched a full eight months after PlayStation 2. Video game fans clearly appreciate great game play and portability. Nearly 700 games are now available for Game Boy Advance.

Nintendo Reveals Early Details About Revolution

May 13, 2005

Big things to come in small package

Nintendo, the world leader in video game innovation, stated loud and clear that they are not to be overlooked in the next generation home console race with the revelation of several unique features of the company's next console system, code name Revolution, to key media outlets. According to the early information, Revolution will combine powerful technology and gaming-focused features in Nintendo's smallest home game console yet.

In its final form, Revolution will be about the thickness of three standard DVD cases and only slightly longer. The versatile Revolution will play either horizontally or vertically, allowing the user total flexibility in setting up a gaming session wherever they have a television.

Thanks to Nintendo's hardware development partners IBM and ATI, the small system will be packed with power that will enable it to wow players with its graphics. Nintendo's legions of loyal fans will be happy to learn that Revolution will be backward compatible, playing both Nintendo GameCube 8cm disks along with its own 12cm optical disks in the same self-loading media drive.

In the next generation, the addition of the Internet will be important to all consoles and particularly important to Nintendo. Revolution will be wireless Internet ready out of the box.

There's much more to Revolution that will be revealed over the coming months, but the combination of its compact size, wireless Internet, backward compatibility, quick start-up time and quiet, low-power operation add up to the start of a great game system. Get ready for the Nintendo Revolution in 2006!